Poison Heart
{{More citations needed|date=March 2023}}
{{about|the Ramones song|the Depeche Mode song|Spirit (Depeche Mode album)}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Poison Heart
| cover = Ramones_-_Poison_Heart_(1992_single_cover).jpg
| caption = 1992 UK CD single cover
| type = single
| artist = Ramones
| album = Mondo Bizarro
| B-side = Censorshit
| released = 1992
| genre = Punk rock, alternative rock
| length = 4:04
| label = Radioactive Records
| writer = Dee Dee Ramone, Daniel Rey
| producer = Ed Stasium
| prev_title = I Believe in Miracles
| prev_year = 1989
| next_title = Strength to Endure
| next_year = 1992
}}
"Poison Heart" is a song by the punk rock band Ramones. Written by their former bassist Dee Dee Ramone and given in exchange for bail money, it was included on the 1992 album Mondo Bizarro and also released as a single. It has a slower tempo than most Ramones songs.
A music video was directed by Samuel Bayer and later released in the 2005 compilation box set Weird Tales of the Ramones as bonus content on the documentary DVD Lifestyles of the Ramones. It partially plays in a scene from the 1992 American horror film Pet Sematary Two.
Covers
Stiv Bators, former vocalist for The Dead Boys and Dee Dee Ramone's friend, recorded a version of the song which was released posthumously on the 1996 album Last Race.
Finnish rock band The 4 Faces recorded a cover of the song as a B-side to their single ”Best Of Both Worlds” in 2002. The single features Hanoi Rocks members Andy McCoy (on guitar) and Michael Monroe (on backing vocals and as co-producer).{{cite web | url=https://www.discogs.com/release/14539673-4-Faces-Best-Of-Both-Worlds | title=4 Faces - Best of Both Worlds | website=Discogs }}
Finnish rock band HIM recorded and released a cover of the song as a B-side to their hit single "Wings of a Butterfly" in 2005.
P. Paul Fenech, lead singer of the psychobilly band the Meteors, covered the song on his solo album The "F" Word in 2006.
Blondie performed acoustic versions of "Poison Heart" and "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" at their October 14, 2006, show at CBGB's. It was the penultimate show at the club before its closing. The last show was performed the next day by Patti Smith.
Track listing
UK CHS 3917 - 7"
- "Poison Heart"
- "Censorshit"
UK 12CHSS 3917 - 12"
- "Poison Heart (Live)"
- "Chinese Rocks (Live)"
- "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker (Live)"
- "Rockaway Beach (Live)"
Personnel
- Dee Dee Ramone - writer
- Joey Ramone – lead vocals
- Johnny Ramone – guitar
- C. J. Ramone – bass
- Marky Ramone – drums
- Flo & Eddie – backing vocals
Chart positions
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Chart (1992) ! Peak |
| bgcolor="#efefef"|Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.bubblingdownunder.com/2025/02/week-commencing-1-february-1993.html |title=Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing February 1, 1993|website=Bubbling Down Under|access-date=February 1, 2025}}
|align="center"| 143 |
| bgcolor="#efefef"|UK Singles Chart
|align="center"| 69 |
| bgcolor="#efefef"|US Billboard Hot 100
|align="center"| 98 |
| bgcolor="#efefef"|US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks
|align="center"| 2 |
| bgcolor="#efefef"|US Post Modern (Hits){{cite web|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Hits/90s/1992/Hits-1992-09-21.pdf |title=Post Modern |page=57 | work=Hits |access-date=April 27, 2024}}
|align="center"|10 |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Ramones}}
{{Pet Sematary}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Songs written by Dee Dee Ramone
Category:Songs written by Daniel Rey
Category:Music videos directed by Samuel Bayer
Category:Song recordings produced by Ed Stasium
{{1990s-US-single-stub}}